The Cincinnati Bengals Just Don't Need WR Braylon Edwards

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to put a receiver on the field alongside A.J. Green this year, and they managed to draft two who are more than capable of doing so.

Still, the team seems interested in also adding a veteran into the mix, and have reportedly reached out to Braylon Edwards to potentially fill that spot.

Edwards spent his 2011 season with the San Francisco 49ers but didn't make much of an impact, missing time with both knee and shoulder injuries. In his nine games, Edwards caught just 15 passes for 181 yards.

While Edwards' low production can be both attributed to his injuries and to the fact that the 49ers didn't have the most explosive passing game, he's likely still able to contribute to whichever team that will have him. But that doesn't mean he's worth the Bengals' time.

The Bengals have found success in youth. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton were able to revitalize that team's passing game in just their first seasons, and they drafted Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones this year, along with tight end Orson Charles. 

This group of receivers, combined with veteran tight end Jermaine Gresham, gives the Bengals such a boost that the team might end up fielding one of the more elite passing squads in the league this year. While there are benefits to be had from adding a veteran receiver into the mix, the Bengals simply don't need that this year.

Further, there's no indication that Edwards will be able to stay healthy enough to make a significant, full-season contribution. He's still rehabbing those knee and shoulder injuries; should they recur, then Edwards will have yet another truncated season in which he doesn't do much on the field.

The Bengals are in a really good situation right now, as far as their offense is concerned. I can see the appeal of bringing on a veteran such as Edwards, but the Bengals just don't need him.

They have enough receiving talent as it is and at this point, Edwards carries with him more question marks than the two rookies they drafted. 

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